What should I change first? CPU or GPU?

[PeterPinus]

Hey, I built a computer a few years ago and now it's getting outdated, so I have a question for you! What should I change first? My graphics card or my CPU?

Specs:

Asus R9 270X dc2t
FX 6300 3.5GHz
Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0
Corsair RM 850i
2x4GB Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I would jump to a Ryzen or Intel setup , FX upgrades will yield no improvements.

 

[Makentox]

GPU for sure. Overclock your 6300 and it will last until u get money for upgrade.

 

[shrapnel_indie]

What are your current uses?

 

[PeterPinus]

What are your current uses?

I play alot of demanding games and I also use editing programs too. Right now I can't run the most recent games smoothly with pleasent graphics so I am forced to upgrade!

 

[PeterPinus]

I would jump to a Ryzen or Intel setup , FX upgrades will yield no improvements.

But will my GPU hold up to new games and such? I have a really good CPU cooler so I could go for overclocking and maybe buy a better GPU! What do you think?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I wouldn't invest anymore cash into a FX setup , it's now EOL.​

 

[LucoTF]

Your gpu is still fine for 1080p / medium, i would update cpu first as that old fx will give you bad frame dips in the latest games

 

[geofelt]

My stock approach to a very common question.....
Some games are graphics limited like fast action shooters.
Others are cpu core speed limited like strategy, sims, and mmo.
Multiplayer with many participants tend to like many threads.

You need to find out which.
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To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one or more cores. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option.
You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many threads.
If you see little difference, your game does not need all the threads you have.



It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system,
and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
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FX cores are weak, but you may gain some from overclocking, your motherboard is capable.

The R9-270X is also weak.

A graphics upgrade is easiest if that will do the job. Your excellent psu can handle anything.
And, such a graphics upgrade can be easily transported to a new cpu/motherboard/ram upgrade.

 

[SgtScream]

Definitely upgrade to a new cpu, motherboard memory combo. Any hardware you install into that outdated amd platform will result in wasted money as well as performance.